Meal time mix up!!!!

[Archie4]

Hi All

 

We are cruising in November on the Explorer of the Seas. Our problem is that our travelling companions are dining at the early sitting but we could only be put on the waiting list for this time. Is there any value in slipping someone a few dollars to get shifted to the early sitting?

[firefly333]

If you dont get early seating, go to the maitre d when you board. Iv never had a problem changing, though it often takes 24 hours for them to switch you.

 

Just a thought .. make sure your bookings are linked, that might help them put you together at dinner.

[marci22]

There were several posters who noted that early seating on the non-summer Explorer routes was at 5:30pm and late was at 8pm. (usually it is 6pm and 8:30pm). You might want to do MTD.

[LovesCruising]

Traditional dining in March on Explorer was 6 and 8:30

[marci22]

Traditional dining in March on Explorer was 6 and 8:30

 

During the fall they sometimes make the times earlier for the older population onboard. Several people posted dining times of 5:30 and 8pm for the fall and early winter months.

[EmTeeNesters]

Hi All

 

We are cruising in November on the Explorer of the Seas. Our problem is that our travelling companions are dining at the early sitting but we could only be put on the waiting list for this time. Is there any value in slipping someone a few dollars to get shifted to the early sitting?

 

Try "linking" the reservations - that worked for us and we ended up with main dining with our travelling companions.

[wrp96]

You have several months before the sailing. It is very likely you will clear the waitlist before then as people cancel. If you don't clear before sailing, just go to the dining room during the times listed on the first day compass, and talk to the maitre'd about getting switched. Usually they can switch people around, not always by the first night of the cruise, but normally by the 2nd night.

[daisy-mae]

Try "linking" the reservations - that worked for us and we ended up with main dining with our travelling companions.

 

I would not put too much faith in "linking" reservations. We cruised with friends earlier this year -- each couple had made separate bookings, and our respective travel agents confirmed that they had contacted RCI to link our bookings.

 

Upon embarking, we discovered that we were located at different tables; we went directly to the dining room to speak with the Maître D', (we were not alone -- the line-up was out the door). Of course, he blamed the mix-up on head office. The only way that he could accomodate us was to put us in the "overflow" dining room (separate from the MDR); we had no complaints with the service, but the atmosphere was not quite as nice as it would have been in the main room.

 

By all means, go ahead and contact the cruise line; but if things are not sorted out before you board, I would head straight to the dining room to see if they can accomodate you, rather than wait until meal time.

[Scotty G]

I would not put too much faith in "linking" reservations. We cruised with friends earlier this year -- each couple had made separate bookings, and our respective travel agents confirmed that they had contacted RCI to link our bookings.

When reservations are linked, this will show up on your on line reservation. If it does not then they are not linked. On the Vacation Summary Page under Preferences & Requests there is a Linked Reservation item They should be shown there.